[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 123 (Wednesday, June 28, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 41871-41872]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-13440]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


Intelligent Mail Package Barcode Compliance Quality

AGENCY: Postal ServiceTM.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Postal Service is proposing to amend Mailing Standards of 
the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM[supreg]) to 
add an additional Intelligent Mail[supreg] package barcode 
(IMpb[supreg]) validation under the ``Barcode Quality'' category.

DATES: Submit comments on or before July 28, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written comments to the Director, Product 
Classification, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Room 4446, 
Washington, DC 20260-5015. If sending comments by email, include the 
name and address of the commenter and send to 
[email protected], with a subject line of ``IMpb Compliance 
Barcode Quality''. Faxed comments are not accepted.
    You may inspect and photocopy all written comments, by appointment 
only, at USPS[supreg] Headquarters Library, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, 11th 
Floor North, Washington, DC 20260. These records are available for 
review on Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., by calling 202-268-
2906.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Jarboe at (202) 268-7690, Devin 
Qualls at (202) 268-3287, or Garry Rodriguez at (202) 268-7281.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Confidentiality

    All submitted comments and attachments are part of the public 
record and subject to disclosure. Do not enclose any material in your 
comments that you consider to be confidential or inappropriate for 
public disclosure.
    In section 204.2.1.8, IMpb Compliance Quality Thresholds, the 
``Barcode Quality'' compliance category checks that the barcode in the 
manifest passes two critical validations: 1. Valid and Certified Mailer 
ID in the label that is in Program Registration/Online Enrollment, 2. 
IMpb must be unique for 120 days.
    The Postal Service relies on the accuracy of the IMpb, and the data 
contained within the barcodes, including Service Type Codes (STCs).
    The Postal Service is proposing to add a third validation under 
``Barcode Quality'' that will require that an IMpb must include a 
valid, unique 3-digit STC that accurately represents the mail class, 
product, and service combination on the physical label affixed to the 
package. Additionally, the IMpb on the package must also correspond 
with electronic package level details and Extra Services Code(s) 
contained within the Shipping Services File (SSF). Any variance in the 
data presented in the electronic submission of a parcel or a variance 
with the physical aspect of the label affixed to a parcel presented for 
mailing will be subject to the IMpb noncompliance fee if a mailer falls 
below the 98 percent threshold.
    The Postal Service is proposing to implement this change effective 
October 1, 2023.
    We believe the proposed revision will ensure the IMpb quality 
enabling the Postal Service to provide customers with a more efficient 
mailing experience.
    Although exempt from the notice and comment requirements of the 
Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553(b), (c)) regarding proposed 
rulemaking by 39 U.S.C. 410(a), the Postal Service invites public 
comment on the following proposed revisions to Mailing Standards of the 
United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), incorporated 
by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations. See 39 CFR 111.1.
    We will publish an appropriate amendment to 39 CFR part 111 to 
reflect these changes.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111

    Administrative practice and procedure, Postal Service.

    Accordingly, 39 CFR part 111 is proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 111--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 111 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a); 13 U.S.C. 301-307; 18 U.S.C. 1692-
1737; 39 U.S.C. 101, 401-404, 414, 416, 3001-3018, 3201-3220, 3401-
3406, 3621, 3622, 3626, 3629, 3631-3633, 3641, 3681-3685, and 5001.

0
2. Revise the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, 
Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) as follows:

Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail 
Manual (DMM)

* * * * *

200 Commercial Letters, Flats, and Parcels

* * * * *

204 Barcode Standards

* * * * *

2.0 Standards for Package and Extra Service Barcodes

2.1 Intelligent Mail Package Barcode

* * * * *

2.1.8 Compliance Quality Thresholds

* * * * *

Exhibit 2.1.8 IMpb Compliance Quality Thresholds

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                                                                    Compliance                      Compliance
                      Compliance categories                            codes        Validations     thresholds
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Barcode Quality * * *
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* * * * *
    [Revise the text in the ``Barcode Quality'' compliance category 
under the ``Validation'' column by adding a third validation to read as 
follows:]
     The IMpb must include a valid, unique 3-digit Service Type 
Code that accurately represents the mail class, product, and service 
combination on the physical label affixed to the package and the 
electronic package level details and

[[Page 41872]]

Extra Services Code(s) in the Shipping Services File.
* * * * *

Sarah Sullivan,
Attorney, Ethics & Legal Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2023-13440 Filed 6-27-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P